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Air New Zealand bids to carry less weight – 31 May 2007

TRENZ trade fair, Rotorua

Air New Zealand estimates that between one and five tonnes of unused produce is removed from a 747 after a long-haul flightAir New Zealand is planning to dramatically drop the weight carried by its aircraft, refresh its fleet and develop links with environmentally conscious operators in an effort to boost its green credentials.

ANZ international airline group manager Ed Sims said the carrier is looking at reducing the amount of fuel, water and produce on board, but said it has no plans to change baggage allowance.

“I think that will be the last element we want to grapple with. What we’re trying to do is remove weight that doesn’t impact on customers.

“For example, in the past three months we’ve added another 200 hours of content to our in-flight entertainment. That’s a big customer plus, but it also reduces our need to carry magazines and newspapers on board.”

Sims said that audits by the airline estimated that between one and five tonnes of unused produce is removed from a 747 after a long-haul flight.

“For every tonne of weight we carry, we carry a tonne of fuel,” said Sims. “So if you reduce what the aircraft is carrying, you effectively double the benefit.”

He added that ANZ plans to have no aircraft older than five years in its fleet by 2011.

“That would give us an exceptionally young fleet. If you compare that with Qantas, the average age of its fleet is 10 and a half years.”

The airline also intends to forge ties with green operators on the ground in New Zealand.

“We want to work with small tourism operators that are making a valuable contribution to the debate about sustainability, and that don’t have the capital or the infrastructure to market themselves offshore in the way we do.”

Sims said the operators would be promoted in lounges and on aircraft and could provide a way of “giving something back” for passengers concerned about the environmental impact of their flight.

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